On Tuesday, a judge in New Mexico decided to release actor and director Timothy Busfield on his own recognizance as he awaits trial. Busfield faces charges of criminal sexual contact with a minor and child abuse.
Judge David Murphy of the state district court did not impose any travel restrictions on Busfield. However, he prohibited Busfield from contacting any witnesses or minors and from possessing any weapons, according to a report by the Santa Fe New Mexican.
In an earlier report by CrimeOnline, the charges against Busfield involve allegations that he inappropriately touched twin brothers while directing “The Cleaning Lady” between 2022 and 2024, as stated in a criminal complaint.
Prosecutors had argued for Busfield, an Emmy-winning actor, to be held without bond, stating that he poses a significant and ongoing risk to children and the community.
In a video message recorded before his surrender to Albuquerque police last week, Busfield declared, “I did not do anything to those little boys. I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated. I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”
Additionally, Busfield’s civil attorney, Larry Stein, suggested to TMZ that the accusations might stem from a “revenge factor,” noting that the twins’ mother was reportedly upset after learning they would not be returning for the show’s final season.
Prosecutors also said in their court filing last week that an allegation had surfaced involving a 16-year-old girl who auditioned for Busfield’s B Street Theatre in Sacramento “several years ago.” The filing claimed that Busfield “kissed her, put his hands down her pants and touched her privates.”
“The defendant begged the family to not report to law enforcement if he received therapy,” the filing read.
Busfield and his brother Buck Busfield founded the theater as Theatre for Children in 1986. Six years later, it broadened its offerings and changed its name to B Street Theatre. Although Timothy Busfield left in 2001, his brother remained as producing artistic director and manager until he retired in 2022.
In 1996, U.S. District Judge James Ideman ordered Busfield to pay $150,000 to a Minneapolis law firm after the actor lost a defamation suit claiming that the firm made up claims that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl while filming “Little Big League” in 1993, Deseret News reported.
In truth, Busfield had settled a lawsuit with the girl, who was an extra on the film, for an undisclosed amount.
Busfield is best known for his work on “The West Wing” and “thirtysomething,” for which he won a best supporting actor Emmy in 1991.
